Fluid-meter structure



Nov. 21, 1939. F. w. HANKS FLUID-METER STRUCTURE Filed Oct. 25, 1937INVENTCR. fi x eaera'ci ZMf/afi/Zr may; 6

ATTO

Patented Nov. 21, 1939 UN l Ts Eli FLUID-METER STRUCTURE Frederick W.Hanks, Cleveland, Ohio I Application October 25, 1937, Serial No.170,798

3 Claims.

This invention relates to fluid-meters, and more particularly meterssuch as are subject to exposure to freezing conditions; and it is amongthe objects of the invention to provide a construction minimizing damageand facilitating and accelerating reconditioning of a meter, and withminimization of waste from breakage.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention,then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described, andparticularly pointed out in the claims, the following description andthe annexed drawing setting forth in detail certain illustrativeembodiments of the invention, these being indicative however, of but afew of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may beemployed.

In said annexed drawing:

Fig. l is a side elevational View, partly in section, showing anembodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary detail;Fig. 3 is an .inverse plan of one of the elements; Fig. 4 is a bottomplan View showing a modification; and Figs. 5 and 6 are detail sideelevations of other modifications.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, there is shown a meterhousing 2, whose detail may Vary, provision being had for suitablemetering elements and a fluid chamber with inlet and outlet connections,one of which is indicated at 3. The housing has an opening, to be closedby a separable closure plate t, and advantageously this may seat againsta gasket 5. Projecting laterally from the housing outside the closureplate are bolting flange means or lugs 6. Conveniently there may be fourlugs, spaced at intervals, although a larger or smaller number may beemployed as desired. The form of closure plate illustrated in Fig. 1embodies one or more projecting lugs l, to mate under a correspondinglug 6 of the housing, and if the closure plate lugs are of a characterto be frangible or breakable in the event of a freeze-up, such lugs maybe availed of to the extent desired, being held by bolt-means 3, whichmay be a nut and bolt assembly or a cap screw if desired in someinstances. As illustrated further in Fig. 1, the closure plate lug atthe left has been broken ofi in a previous occurrence of damage, and itis here shown how such a mutilated and otherwise ordinarily discardedplate is quickly put back into service, a pressure member or L .lever [0being arranged to rest with one end on the housing lugs 6 and the otherend on the closure plate. If the lug-engaging end ll be a shortupstanding leg, and the other portion be a relatively longer legextending beyond the periphery of the closure plate with the end l2resting against the closure plate at a point adjacent the center, alever action is had, the bolt-means I3 joining between the housing lug 6and the member I0. Ordinarily, a nut and bolt combination is desirable,although a cap screw may be used in some instances. It is advantageousto provide a weakening groove l4 intermediary in the long leg of thepressure member, and thereby in the event of freeze-up, breakage at apredetermined zone may occur, and avoid more extensive damage. It willbe observed thatthe pressure member where having angularly-directed legsll, l2, constitutes with the bolt-means an L-lever system giving firmholding of the closure plate, together with particular convenience inthe utilization and assembly, and closure plates with one or moreoriginal lugs still intact may be employed or closure plates in whichall of the lugs have been broken 01f. Particular economies in usage ofplates otherwise junk, are thus had. Similarly, as illustrated moreparticularly in Fig. 4, a form of a closure plate do without any lugs atall may be equally well employed, the pressure members Ill being appliedon the housing lugs 6 and the closure plate 4a, as already indicated. Anotable feature here also in contrast to prior bottoms with frangiblelugs, is the possibility of forming the bottom plate of a noncorrodiblemetal, as for instance brass, etc., and the nuisance of rust-formationis obviated.

The manner of usage of the construction is already clear from theforegoing. A closure plate la, Fig. 4 formed without lugs, and assembledwith the meter housing, is tightened into position with a set ofpressure members I!) bolting to the housing lugs 6. Similarly, a closureplate 4, Fig. 1, which has lost one or more of its initially formed lugsin prior freeze-ups, is assembled with the meter housing 2 withbolt-means 8 to such of its lugs as are left, and with the pressuremembers It for the remainder. And when all of the original lugs I of theclosure plate are broken off, the closure plate may still go on inservice, with a fullcomplement of the pressure members l0. Not only thusis the matter of getting it back immediately into service greatlyexpedited and simplified, but the expense and waste in parts heretoforejunked on damage, is particularly advantageously controlled. If antislipmeans or roughening be provided on the lever or pressure members, anassured grip may be had under all conditions. Roughening or serrationsl5 may be formed on the members. In

some cases Where desired, an exaggerated biting portion I 6 may beprovided on the housingengaging leg (Fig. 5), to seize into the opposingmetal sufiiciently to obviate possibility of slippage. The member lllbagain may have a weakening groove Mb to localize breakage. By formingthe pressure member with an ofiset, Fig. 6, the housing-engaging leg 160may cooperate with the housing portion 6 as described, optionally abiting portion I60 being included, and several advantageous functionsresult together, in that the closure-engaging leg thus sets at such anangle as to be adjustable over the wide range of possible diiierentforms of closure plate and the locus fracture is particularly welllocalized in the recess or groove Me. Again, roughening or serrationsmay be provided on the closure engaging leg.

Where the closure plate is of circular or lugless periphery character,as plate 4a, Fig. 4, as a further refinement of the invention I mayprovide a lug l8 standing out from the plate. This affords a hold forgripping by a vise or Wrench to loosen the plate in removal where thereis obstinate sticking of the gasket.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention maybe employed,change being made as regards the details described, provided thefeatures stated in any of the following claims, or the equivalent ofsuch, be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. In fluid-meter construction, a housing, a separable closure platehaving a body and a housing-engaging peripheral portion, and lever-meansfor supporting said closure plate internally of its housing-engagingperipheral portion, said means comprising an L-lever having a long legbridging beyond said housing-engaging peripheral portion to bear againstthe body of the closure plate internally of its housing-engagingperipheral portion and a short upstanding leg bearing against thehousing lug, and bolt means for joining the lever and lug.

2. In fluid-meter construction, a housing, a separable closure platehaving a body and a housing-engaging peripheral portion, and levermeansfor supporting said closure plate internally of its housing-engagingperipheral portion, said means comprising an L-lever having a long legbridging beyond said housing-engaging peripheral portion to bear againstthe body of the closure plate internally of its housing-engagingperipheral portion and a short upstanding leg having a biting portion tobear against the housing lug, and bolt means for joining the lever andlug.

3. In fluid-meter construction, a housing, a separable closure platehaving a body and a housing-engaging peripheral portion, and lever-meansfor supporting said closure plate internally of its housing-engagingperipheral portion, said means comprising an L-lever having a long'legwith an offset and bridging beyond said housingengaging peripheralportion to bear against the body of the closure plate internally of itshousing-engaging peripheral portion and a short upstanding leg bearingagainst the housing lug, and bolt means for joining the lever and lug.

FREDERICK W. HANKS.

